‘White Wonder’ Days Of Thunder’s incredible last to first Superstayers Invitational win
Queensland greyhound trainer Warren Nicholls received absolute validation in his belief that his ‘White Wonder', Days Of Thunder, had a big race left in her, after coming from tailed off last to win the 2023 Group 3 Superstayers Invitational at Albion Park on Thursday night.
Nicholls went on record last month saying that he was confident she was as good as any stayer in the country on her night.
“I'm confident there's still something extraordinary left in her, an undeniable will to get there,” he said.
“She can give any dog a run for their money.
“She's in no worse condition than she was this time last year, and she nearly upset the favourites then.
“In fact, I believe she's even better now.”
Racing in Thursday night's Superstayers Invitational, after gaining a run in the race following the withdrawal of Korda, Nicholl's spectacular white bitch was having just her fifth start since a four-month injury enforced break.
At the race start prior, she had been an eye catching close-up fourth in the 2023 Group 3 State Of Origin Distance at Albion Park, won by Palawa King.
Australian greyhound betting sites sent Palawa King to the boxes as the odds-on -200 race favourite to win the $75,000 to-the-winner four dog 710m race.
At box-rise Zipping Orlando quickly assumed the lead, while Days Of Thunder, after jumping well, assumed her normal role at the opposite end of the field.
While the race was being keenly contested for the lead, the ‘White Wonder' was happy to drop more than 10 lengths behind the second last greyhound with just a lap to go.
While Zipping Orlando's flying first section of 15.65, saw him start to tire with 150m to go, Palawa King and First Picked were both making runs; but all eyes were on the white bitch known at home as ‘Bonnie' as her explosive finishes have become a much-anticipated spectacle nationwide.
As they entered the straight, she still had many lengths to make up, but finished so hard over the top of the other three greyhounds, that she went on to win 0.75 lengths over First Picked in 41.67, with the same margin back to Palawa King.
Early leader Zipping Orlando tired to finish 6.25 lengths back in last place.
2023 Group 3 Superstayers Invitational (Albion Park, 710m) – Days Of Thunder (41.67) T: Warren Nicholls
Owned by Clint Gill, ‘Bonnie' has now had 60 starts for 17 wins, and 17 placings, amassing $290,725 in prizemoney.
Last year, Days Of Thunder achieved notable success in the same carnival, placing third in the 2022 Group 1 Queensland Cup over 710 metres, clinching the first spot in the 2022 Group 3 Origin Greyhound Series Distance, and emerging victorious in the Queensland National Distance Championship.
Days Of Thunder is from the Michelle Shambler-bred November 2019 litter by Fernando Bale out of Melissa's Pride.
The white bitch is a three-time Group 1 finalist finishing third in the 2022 Group 1 Queensland Cup at Albion Park, and running unplaced in the 2022 Group 1 Topgun Stayers at The Meadows, and the 2022 Group 1 National Distance Championship at Wentworth Park.
Days Of Thunder also made the finals of the 2022 and 2023 Group 3 Albion Park Gold Cups.
She was third in the 2022 Listed Clem Jones Cup at Albion Park, and made the finals of the 2022 Listed Cup Night Stayers at Sandown, and the 2023 Listed Clem Jones Cup at Albion Park.
2023 Group 3 Superstayers Invitational
2023 Superstayers Inviational ResultsAlbion Park710mGroup 3$75,000 to-the-winnerThursday June 22 202341.67
|
|
| 1st |
1 Days Of Thunder
T: Warren Nicholls41.67 – $75,000
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| 2nd |
7 First Picked
T: Rob Britton41.771.5 lengths $18,750
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| 3rd |
5 Palawa King
T: Ray Smith41.730.75 lengths $9,375
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| 4th |
3 Zipping Orlando
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